New York Jets 2012 Mock Draft: 7-Round Predictions

Trying to predict the top 10 selections of the NFL draft is difficult.

Trying to predict who a team is going to take 150 picks later is darn near impossible.

However, with the NFL Combine a distant memory and a number of pro days completed, the general draft slot for NFL prospects is becoming clearer by the day.

Using a computer-generated seven-round mock draft from drafttek.com and a seven-round mock draft from draftsite.com as references, this slideshow will offer a full mock draft for each of the Jets' selections.

The Jets haven't made a huge impact in free agency, and besides a little trade for Tim Tebow, have made most of their moves on the defensive side of the ball.

Re-signing Sione Pouha was a good first step, and LaRon Landry could end up being a huge upgrade at safety if he stays healthy. Re-signing Bryan Thomas might help in the locker room, but his age and recent injury make him a big question mark.

If the Jets want to make significant upgrades from last year's team, they need to draft impact players at multiple positions and find some players deep in the draft who will contribute as well.

The first three picks will be key as the Jets need to find three impact players in the first three rounds. They do not have a fourth-round pick after the Tebow trade, and the drop-off of talent from round three to round five is significant.

The good news is the Jets have seven picks and are expected to be awarded up to five more picks between rounds five through seven when the NFL announces compensation picks at the owners' meeting between March 26-28.

Round 1: Courtney Upshaw (Alabama LB)

Although the Jets re-signed Bryan Thomas and expect Aaron Maybin back as well, they still need to improve their outside linebacker position significantly.

Mike Tannenbaum isn't afraid to take a gamble, but with so much riding on this pick, now is the time to be conservative.

Courtney Upshaw seems to be a safe pick who will be a solid all-around player. He was a team leader on a ferocious defense at Alabama and besides a dropped domestic dispute case in 2009, has been a high-character player as well.

Upshaw doesn't project to be a monster pass rusher, but he does have the ability to get to the quarterback in key situations.

From all scouting reports, Upshaw projects to be the type of player Thomas was in his prime with the potential for an even greater upside.

Round 2: Chris Polk (Washington RB)

Greene is more than an adequate running back when he has the support of a good offensive line, but in today's NFL, especially with a team that is planning to recommit to the run, the Jets need a full stable of effective runners.

Even with the addition of Tebow and his possible boost to the running game, they still need at least one more viable running back.

He is a strong runner who catches the ball out of the backfield and isn't afraid to throw a block. If the Jets land him, he should be able to fill the role LaDainian Tomlinson played the past two seasons but with more of a north-south running style.

Polk is ranked solidly as one of the top four running backs available and at 5'11", 215 pounds has the size needed to succeed in the NFL.

Round 4: Pick Traded to Denver for Tim Tebow

You may or may not have heard by now, but Tim Tebow is coming to New York.

The Jets sent their 2012 fourth-round pick and a sixth-round pick to Denver for Tebow and a seventh-round pick.

The move has set off a firestorm of opinions that spans the entire sports world as know-it-all personalities like Mike Francessa and Stephen A. Smith are proclaiming to be able to tell the future and know how this will all play out.

Last year the Jets fourth-round draft pick was Bilal Powell, so if they are going to waste picks like that, sending one to Denver for Tebow might end up being a steal.

The bottom line is that nobody knows how Tebow will perform in 2012. People are going to have their knee-jerk reactions to the trade, but nobody will know for sure until the games are played.

Round 7: Ryan Steed (Furman CB)

The Jets don't have any pressing need at cornerback, but you can bet Mike Westhoff will coerce Mike Tannenbaum to draft some special team reinforcements late in the draft.

Ryan Steed doesn't project to be a starting cornerback anytime soon, but could contribute on special teams while learning the ropes after making the jump to the NFL from Furman, a non BCS school.

Steed's stock increased with a strong showing in the Senior Bowl but then tumbled downward after a poor showing at the combine.

Steed could be one of those scrappy players whose game speed is faster than his practice speed, but drafting a 5'10" cornerback from Furman who runs a 4.68 40-yard dash isn't the highest priority of many teams.

While some projections have Steed slated to be picked as high as the fourth round, he wouldn't be worth taking a chance on for the Jets any earlier than round seven, where the Jets are expected to have multiple compensatory picks in addition to their own.